MUSINGS ON LIFE FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE TV SCREEN

FRIZ FRELENG

Friz died 11 years ago, but if he were still alive, he'd turn 100 years old this week.

He was one of the most prolific animators in the history of Hollywood.
He brought to life some of the best cartoon characters ever chased across the big screen.... such as Tweedie Pie, which was 'drawn into being' in 1946.... and Speedy Gonzalez, who came along in 1955.

He also gave us the look of the original Pink Panther.

What I find charming about Friz -- and others who worked at Warner Brothers during the Looney Tunes heyday -- is their subtle way of placing their own images and names in the cartoons they created.

I didn't include a picture of Friz Freleng, but there was no need.
That top sketch of the astronomer in the 1952 Bugs Bunny cartoon "The Hasty Hare" -- is a good caricature of Friz himself.
And it should be.... after all, he drew it.

In the next picture, you'll see Sylvester standing in front of a box of "Friz, America's Favorite Gelatin Dessert". Coincidence??
That's from the 1951 cartoon, "Puddy Tat Trouble".

And in "High Diving Hare", made in 1949, you can see Bugs Bunny selling tickets to "Frizby the Magician."

And in 1948's "I Taw A Putty Tat", look closely at the brand name on the can Tweedie is standing in front of.

In a 1946 cartoon titled "Racketeer Rabbit", the action is taking place right in front of the Hotel Friz.

If you want to find more of Friz's hidden gags, along with those secretly placed in cartoons by countless others, there's a wonderful website called LOONEY TUNES HIDDEN GAGS. That's where I found these pictures.
Check it out.... it's fun and interesting.

Friz Freleng died in 1995 at the age of 89.
Surprisingly, the cause of death was not listed as an Acme anvil falling on his head.